U.S. patent number 7,114,840 [Application Number 10/764,595] was granted by the patent office on 2006-10-03 for exit sign illuminated by selective color leds.
Invention is credited to Douglas Hamrick.
United States Patent |
7,114,840 |
Hamrick |
October 3, 2006 |
Exit sign illuminated by selective color LEDs
Abstract
An exit sign comprising a housing and a plurality of red and
green color LEDs having the capability of being selectively
activated to produce either red light or green light. The plurality
of LEDs are mounted in a mutual lighting association in the
housing. A switch is manually operable to selectively activate the
plurality of red color LEDs to produce the red light and in the
alternative, to selectively activate of the plurality of the green
color LEDs to produce the green light. Means for passing light from
the selected red light or selected green light in the form of
indicia symbolizing an exit enables viewing by an observer, such
means include a stencil having four independent letters forming the
word EXIT. DC circuitry is in operative electrical connection with
the plurality of LEDs. A source of DC electrical power activates
the DC circuitry. The plurality of LEDs can be monochrome red LEDs
and monochrome green LEDs or in the alternative, the plurality of
LEDs can be bicolor LEDs having the capability of producing red
light or green light. Red light and green light can be
simultaneously emitted so as to produce yellow light. An emergency
power backup battery is connected to the plurality of color LEDS.
Means for producing emergency light is optional.
Inventors: |
Hamrick; Douglas (Pickerington,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
32912434 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/764,595 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040170015 A1 |
Sep 2, 2004 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60465822 |
Apr 25, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/613;
340/815.56; 362/231; 362/601; 40/570; 40/581; 362/812; 362/330;
340/815.65; 340/815.45; 340/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
13/22 (20130101); G08B 7/062 (20130101); G02B
6/0068 (20130101); G09F 2013/05 (20210501); Y10S
362/812 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
7/04 (20060101); G09F 13/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;362/31,230-231,240-241,249,362,367,812,600-601,611-613,630-634,330
;40/570,581 ;340/815.45,332,815.49,815.53,815.56,815.65 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cariaso; Alan
Assistant Examiner: Han; Jason
Parent Case Text
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
This patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/465,822 filed on Apr. 25, 2003 entitled,
"Tri-Color LED Lamp for Illuminated Signage".
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exit sign comprising: a housing, a plurality of LEDs having
the capability of being selectively activated to produce either red
light or green light, said plurality of LEDs being mounted in
mutual lighting association in said housing, means for selective
activation of said plurality of LEDs to produce either said red
light or said green light, means for passing light from selected
said red light or selected said green light in the form of indicia
symbolizing an exit enabling viewing by an observer, wherein said
means for passing light is a stencil, means for optically diffusing
said light positioned in said housing juxtapositioned to said
plurality of LEDs and said stencil, DC circuitry in operative
electrical connection with said plurality of LEDs, and a source of
DC electrical power activating said DC circuitry.
2. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
LEDs further having the capability of being selectively activated
by said means for selective activation to simultaneously emit both
said red light and said green light so as to produce yellow light,
and wherein said means for selective activation of said plurality
of LEDs to produce both of said red light and said green light
includes means to produce both said red light and said green light
so as to produce said yellow light, wherein said yellow light
passes through said stencil enabling viewing of said indicia by an
observer.
3. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
LEDs includes a plurality of monochrome red LEDs and a plurality of
monochrome green LEDs, each said monochrome red LED having the
capability of being activated by said means for selective
activation to produce said red light, and each said monochrome
green LED having the capability of being activated by said means
for selective activation to produce said green light.
4. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
LEDs includes a plurality of bicolor LEDs, each said bicolor LED
having the capability of being activated by said means for
selective activation to produce either said red light or said green
light.
5. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said means for
optically diffusing said light is an optical diffuser.
6. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said stencil is a
non-transparent stencil defining light passageway openings forming
said indicia, said light passing through said light passageway
openings enabling viewing of said indicia by an observer.
7. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said stencil is a
translucent stencil having non-transparent areas and transparent
areas, said transparent areas forming said indicia, said light
passing through said transparent areas enabling viewing of said
indicia by an observer.
8. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said indicia
symbolizing an exit is four independent letters forming the word
EXIT.
9. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said indicia
symbolizing an exit includes at least one symbol indicating an
exit.
10. The exit sign according to claim 1, further including means for
passing light from selected said red light or selected said green
light in the form of at least one directional symbol enabling
viewing by an observer.
11. The exit sign according to claim 1, wherein said means for
selective activation to produce either of said red light or said
green light is a two-position DIP switch.
12. The exit sign according to claim 11, wherein said two-position
DIP switch includes the capability to simultaneously activate both
said red light and said green light so as to produce yellow
light.
13. The exit sign according to claim 1, further including battery
means for providing emergency DC power to said plurality of LEDs in
the event of failure of electrical DC power.
14. The exit sign according to claim 13, further including means
for providing emergency light including a plurality of monochrome
LEDs, said means for producing emergency light being in electrical
connection to said battery means.
15. An exit sign comprising: a housing, a plurality of monochrome
red LEDs and a plurality of monochrome green LEDs having the
capability of being selectively activated to produce either red
light or green light, said plurality of monochrome red LEDs and
said monochrome green LEDs being mounted in mutual lighting
association in said housing, means for selective activation of
either said plurality of monochrome red LEDs to produce said red
light or said plurality of monochrome green LEDs to produce said
green light, means for passing light from selected said red light
or selected said green light in the form of indicia symbolizing an
exit enabling viewing by an observer, wherein said means for
passing light is a stencil, means for optically diffusing said red
light or said green light positioned in said housing
juxtapositioned to said plurality of monochrome red LEDs and said
plurality of monochrome green LEDs and said stencil, DC circuitry
in operative electrical connection with said plurality of
monochrome red LEDs and said plurality of monochrome green LEDs,
and a source of DC electrical power activating said DC
circuitry.
16. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of
monochrome red LEDs and monochrome green LEDs have the capability
of being selectively activated by said means for selective
activation to simultaneously emit both said red light and said
green light so as to produce yellow light, wherein said yellow
light passes through said stencil enabling viewing of said indicia
by an observer.
17. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said stencil is a
non-transparent stencil defining light passageway openings forming
said indicia, said light passing through said light passageway
openings enabling viewing of said indicia by an observer.
18. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said stencil is a
translucent stencil having non-transparent areas and transparent
areas, said transparent areas forming said indicia, said light
passing through said transparent areas enabling viewing of said
indicia by an observer.
19. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said indicia
symbolizing an exit is four independent letters forming the word
EXIT.
20. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said indicia
symbolizing an exit includes at least one symbol indicating an
exit.
21. The exit sign according to claim 15, further including means
for passing light from selected said red light or selected said
green light in the form of at least one directional symbol enabling
viewing by an observer.
22. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said means for
selective activation of said plurality of LEDs to produce either
said red light and said green light is a two-position DIP
switch.
23. The exit sign according to claim 22, wherein said-two-position
DIP switch includes the capability to simultaneously activate both
said red light and said green light so as to produce yellow
light.
24. The exit sign according to claim 15, wherein said means for
optically diffusing said red and green light is an optical
diffuser.
25. The exit sign according to claim 15, further including battery
means for providing emergency DC power to said plurality of
monochrome red LEDs and said plurality of monochrome green LEDs in
the event of failure of electrical DC power.
26. The exit sign according to claim 15, further including means
for providing emergency light including a plurality of monochrome
LEDs, said means for producing emergency light being in electrical
connection to said battery means.
27. An exit sign comprising: a housing, a plurality of bicolor red
and green LEDs having the capability of being selectively activated
to produce either red light or green light, said plurality of
bicolor red and green LEDs being mounted in mutual lighting
association in said housing; means for selective activation of said
plurality of bicolor LEDs to produce either said red light or said
green light, means for passing light from selected said red light
or selected said green light in the form of indicia symbolizing an
exit enabling viewing by an observer, wherein said means for
passing light is a stencil, means for optically diffusing said red
light or said green light positioned in said housing
juxtapositioned to said plurality of bicolor red and green LEDs and
said stencil, DC circuitry in operative electrical connection with
said plurality of bicolor red and green LEDs, and a source of DC
electrical power activating said DC circuitry.
28. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said plurality of
bicolor red and green LEDs have the capability of being selectively
activated by said means for selective activation to simultaneously
emit both said red light and said green light so as to produce
yellow light, wherein said yellow light passes through said stencil
enabling viewing of said indicia by an observer.
29. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said stencil is a
non-transparent stencil defining light passageway openings forming
said indicia, said light passing through said light passageway
openings enabling viewing of said indicia by an observer.
30. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said stencil is a
translucent stencil having non-transparent areas and transparent
areas, said transparent areas forming said indicia, said light
passing through said transparent areas enabling viewing of said
indicia by an observer.
31. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said indicia
symbolizing an exit is four independent letters forming the word
EXIT.
32. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said indicia
symbolizing an exit includes at least one symbol indicating an
exit.
33. The exit sign according to claim 27, further including means
for passing light from selected said red light or selected said
green light in the form of at least one directional symbol enabling
viewing by an observer.
34. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said means for
selective activation of said plurality of bicolor LEDs to produce
either said red light or said green light is a two-position DIP
switch.
35. The exit sign according to claim 34, wherein said two-position
DIP switch includes the capability to simultaneously activate both
said red light and said green light of said plurality of bicolor
red and green LEDs so as to produce yellow light.
36. The exit sign according to claim 27, wherein said means for
optically diffusing said red and green light is an optical
diffuser.
37. The exit sign according to claim 27, further including battery
means for providing emergency DC power to said plurality of bicolor
red and green LEDs in the event of failure of electrical DC
power.
38. The exit sign according to claim 27, further including means
for providing emergency light including a plurality of monochrome
LEDs, said means for producing emergency light being in electrical
connection to said battery means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to color light emitting
diode lamps used in illuminated signs, and more particularly to
illuminate emergency exit signs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Originally, an exit sign used standard incandescent lamps. The
earliest alternatives to incandescent lamps were radioactive
tritium gas and compact fluorescent lamps. In 1985, light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) were introduced for use in exit signs.
The most cost-effective alternative today over the exit signs that
use incandescent lamps are LED exit signs. A standard LED exit sign
generally uses only about 1 to 5 watts of power per surface and
costs less than $5.00 per year to operate depending on the model
and local utility costs. Because LEDs also last considerably longer
than incandescent lamps, life cycle savings are dramatic. When an
LED exit sign is used instead of an incandescent exit sign, the
cost saving multiple over a ten-year period including initial
costs, energy expenditures, and maintenance requirements will be in
the range of five times.
There are currently several different types of LED exit signs
available in the marketplace using a variety of LEDs in different
configurations. There are a great number of LED sign manufacturers
competing in the market. As a result, there is a wide range in
price, quality, and energy consumption. Some LED signs use as few
as 6 LEDs, others use 18 to 35 LEDs, and some use up to 200 LEDs.
The rated energy consumption can thus range from as little as 1
watt up to 8 watts.
Under National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National
Electrical Code (NEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and local
fire and building codes for each state, buildings that provide
public access are required by law to have signs therein identifying
the exits. These emergency signs are required to exhibit a specific
amount of illumination and often times are required to have an
emergency backup power source to provide emergency illumination to
the exit sign for a specified period of time when electrical power
to the building is interrupted to allow sufficient time for persons
in the building to vacate. LED exit signs are presently available
primarily with red or green color LEDs, or other approved colors as
required by local ordinances or municipalities and depending on
state and city codes.
No LED exit sign presently exists that is commercially manufactured
to the best of my knowledge that provides a choice of either red or
green color LEDs along with a switch to select the color of the
exit sign indicia that is legally required by the particular
jurisdiction. In the selective color LED lamp of the present
invention, the switch can selectively turn on the red color LEDs to
produce a red color exit sign indicia, or selectively turn on the
green color LEDs to produce a green color exit sign indicia. In
addition, the LED lamp of the present invention can selectively
turn on both the red and green color LEDs simultaneously to produce
a yellow color exit sign indicia. Exit signs usually include a
stencil having perforations that define indicia through which the
LED light passes and which is readable by an observer. Existing
stencil signs have solid colored green or red diffuser panels
behind opaque sections with the letters EXIT cut out. Other exit
signs can include a stencil manufactured out of a clear lens with
the indicia or background masked with a red, green, or other color
ink. The word EXIT is usually white in this case against the color
background. The indicia generally form the letters of the word EXIT
and include removable or permanent chevron arrows located on
opposite sides of the word EXIT. Other words, symbols, or idiogram
indicia can indicate an exit. Among these are words or symbols in
non-English speaking countries that have an analogous meaning to
the word EXIT in English.
The present invention provides an LED lamp that enables a user to
selectively, or optionally, produce distinct color outputs. The
selective color LED lamp is designed for use in illuminated signs
generally including emergency exit signs, but also other types of
illuminated signs that can be used in different locations. The use
of the selective color LED lamp will allow the emergency signage to
comply with all local fire and building code requirements. An LED
exit sign manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer can stock only one
basic version of the selective color LED lamp exit sign thereby
reducing manufacturing, inventory, and shipping costs. The
selective color LED lamp is designed to replace existing
incandescent and single color LED lamps. It can be used directly in
sockets of existing emergency exit signs as retrofit LED lamps, or
as the main light source in new emergency exit signs and other
illuminated signs. Besides using the selective color LED lamp of
the present invention in emergency exit signs, the selective color
LED lamp can be used in illuminated advisory, directional,
instructional, warning, and safety demarcation signs. In the latter
uses, other selective colors can be used other than the red, green,
and yellow colors of the selective color LED lamp. Another area
where the selective color LED lamp of the present invention can be
used is in warning and instructional lighting markers used in many
truck-loading docks around the country.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a selective
color LED lamp wherein one of the color red or the color green can
be selected for general signage lighting applications incorporating
light emitting diodes as the main light source for use in existing
and newly manufactured signage lighting fixtures.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
selective color LED lamp that can readily replace the incandescent
and compact fluorescent lighting units offering energy efficiency,
longer life with zero mercury, zero disposal costs, and zero
hazardous waste. The present invention can be used with all types
of illuminated signage.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
selective color LED lamp that will easily produce a red color or
green color while substantially using a low number of color LEDs
wherein such use is in the field of emergency exit signs.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
selective color LED lamp that will easily produce a red color or
green color or a mixed red and green color to produce the color
yellow while using a relatively low number of colored LEDs wherein
such use is in the field of emergency exit signs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a selective
color LED retrofit lamp containing integral electronic circuitry
that can be readily and economically fabricated from simple
electronic components for easy adaptation for use with existing
illuminated signage.
And yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a
selective color LED lamp combined with surge suppression, uniform
illumination, battery backup, and low power consumption to be
readily and economically fabricated from simple components, for use
in newly manufactured and multipurpose illuminated emergency
signage that is readily adaptable to comply with fire and building
code.
A final object of the present invention is to provide a selective
color LED lamp for use in newly manufactured illuminated signage
with optional emergency lights integrally and operationally mounted
with the main lamp unit.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The selective color retrofit LED lamp comprises an array of red
color LEDs and an array of green color LEDs, each LED in each array
is connected in a series and parallel relationship with similar
color LEDs. Alternating current (AC) voltage is converted to direct
current (DC) voltage by bridge rectifiers to power the LEDs.
Switches will be provided to turn on or to select for operation
only the array of red color LEDs or only the array of green color
LEDs. Optionally, both arrays of red and green color LEDs can be
turned on to emit light at the same time, the latter selection
resulting in the production of the color yellow. The LEDs are
mounted onto a rigid circuit board with or without an external
housing. The AC power to the selective color retrofit LED lamp can
terminate in any standard lamp configuration including, but not
limited to bi-pin, medium screw base, candelabra base, etc. This
selective color retrofit LED lamp can be used in single and double
panel mount exit signs, edge mount exit signs, stencil exit signs,
panel mount exit signs fitted with emergency lights, and other
illuminated signage.
The selective color LED lamp of the present invention can be used
in newly manufactured illuminating signage as well. This selective
color LED lamp in combination with a number of other components
including a step-down transformer to convert 120/220/277 VAC to a
lower voltage to power the LEDs and to serve as a voltage
suppresser; a battery backup system with testing capability that is
charged by the AC power input; a fixture housing or body; a fixture
mount; background stencil and lettering or symbol indicia; at least
one optical diffuser; and optional integral emergency lights, all
combine to form a selective color LED illuminating sign of the
present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,010 issued to Lin and Zhu on May 20, 2003,
discloses a traffic signal head with individual activation of 1)
red light LED generating elements and green light LED generating
elements, and 2) red light LED generating elements and green light
LED generating elements with simultaneous activation of the red and
green light LED generating elements producing yellow light. The two
main claims in Lin set forth the combination of the individual
activations of red, green, and yellow light, a housing, activation
circuitry, and the inventive feature of circuitry for enabling
adjustment of the relative intensity of the yellow light produced
by the activation of the red and green light.
However, Lin does not disclose, as does the present invention a
combination of elements that includes means for passing selected
red light or selected green light from an array of red LEDs and an
array of green LEDs in the form of indicia symbolizing an exit and
enabling viewing by an observer. Nor does Lin disclose means for
optically diffusing the selected red light or selected green light
positioned in the housing between the array of red LEDs and the
array of green LEDs positioned in the housing, and the means for
passing light in the form of indicia. The present invention
includes yellow light produced by the simultaneous production of
red and green light that also passes through the indicia
symbolizing an exit. There is no adjustment of the relative
intensity of the yellow light. The selected red light or green
light is full on or full off resulting in a yellow light that is
either full on or completely off only.
The present invention will be better understood and the objects and
important features, other than those specifically set forth above,
will become apparent when consideration is given to the following
details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the
annexed drawings, describes, illustrates, and shows preferred
embodiments or modifications of the present invention, and what is
presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practice
in the principles thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a front view of an assembled selective color LED exit
sign in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 1A shows the basic mount structure for the selective color LED
exit shown in FIG. 1 along with two attached emergency lights along
with LED lamps mounted thereto;
FIG. 1B shows an optical diffuser of the selective color LED exit
sign shown in FIG. 1 before being mounted to the mount structure
shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1C shows the front face of a stencil defining indicia
indicating an exit that is mounted to the mount structure shown in
FIG. 1 over the optical diffuser of the selective color LED exit
sign shown in FIG. 1B;
FIG. 1D shows the front face of an alternative stencil;
FIG. 2 shows the selective color LED exit sign as shown in FIG. 1
in a simplified form showing one each of a red and green light beam
and one mixed yellow light beam from the combination of the one red
with the one green light beam;
FIG. 2A shows a chart of the typical dipswitch selections as
related to FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 shows an isolated schematic block diagram of the isolated
selective color LED lamp of the selective color LED exit sign shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the selective color LED
exit sign shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 including the selective color LED
lamp shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows the electrical circuit used for the selective color
LED exit sign; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram analogous to FIG. 3 that shows
an alternative selective color LED lamp with bicolor red and green
LEDs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference is now made to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1
6 in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same or
similar reference numerals throughout.
A selective color light emitting diode (LED) sign 10 is shown in
FIG. 1 6 and in particular in assembled front view in FIG. 1. Sign
10 includes disassembled elements shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and
1D.
In particular, FIG. 1A shows a disassembled front view 12 of sign
10 comprising a housing 14 and a flat rear panel 16 mounted
thereto. A canopy 18 attached to the top edge 20 of housing 14
provides support for hanging the entire sign 10 to a ceiling
structure (not shown). A step-down transformer 22 is mounted at top
edge 20 at one side edge 24 of housing 14 opposite bottom edge 21
and a rechargeable backup battery 26 is mounted at top edge 20 at
the opposed side edge 28 of housing 14. Optional emergency lights
30A and 30B are attached to housing side edges 24 and 28
respectively. An array of thirty-six monochrome color LEDs 32 are
horizontally mounted in a manner known in the art at equal
intervals across the area of top edge 20 of flat rear panel 16
between side edges 24 and 28.
FIG. 1B shows in isolation the front view of an optical diffuser 34
known in the art that is secured to housing 14 and positioned over
LEDs 32. FIG. 1C shows a rectangular stencil 36 in front view taken
in isolation that is secured to housing 14 in assembled mode and
positioned over optical diffuser 34, LEDs 32, and rear panel 16.
Stencil 36 is also shown in FIG. 1. Stencil 36 is generally
non-transparent and includes four light passageway openings 38A,
38B, 38C and 38D that define the four letters, or four indicia, in
capitalized mode of the word EXIT, respectively, that extend
horizontally in the midarea of stencil 36 through which light beams
projected by LEDs 32 pass through each light passageway opening
38A, 38B, 38C and 38D after passing through optical diffuser 34 for
eventual viewing by an observer. Stencil 36 optionally defines two
directional symbols, namely, opposed chevron arrow openings 39A and
39B through which light beams projected by LEDs 32 pass for
eventual viewing by an observer.
FIG. 1D shows an alternative embodiment of the rectangular stencil
36, namely stencil 36A in front view taken in isolation that is
secured to housing 14 in assembled mode and positioned over optical
diffuser 34, LEDs 32, and rear panel 16. Stencil 36A is clear and
translucent, but is made non-translucent by a manner known in the
art such as by the application of paint or other masking medium.
Stencil 36A provides four transparent areas 38E, 38F, 38G, and 38H
that define the four letters or four indicia, in capitalized text
mode of the word EXIT, respectively, and that extend horizontally
in the general midarea of stencil 36A through which light beams
projected by LEDs 32 pass through each transparent area 38E, 38F,
38G, and 38H after passing through optical diffuser 34 for eventual
viewing by an observer. Stencil 36A optionally includes other
transparent areas such as two directional symbols, namely, opposed
chevron arrows 39A and 39B through which light beams projected by
LEDs 32 pass for eventual viewing by an observer. Other variations
of stencils 36 and 36A are possible within the parameters of the
present invention. It should be noted that the alternative stencil
36A itself could be manufactured out of a diffusion material
thereby further reducing parts by eliminating the need for a
separate optical diffuser 34.
FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view 40 of the disassembled front view
12 shown in FIG. 1A and wherein thirty-six monochrome color LEDs 32
include for purposes of exposition twelve red LEDs 32A and
twenty-four green LEDs 32B each individually mounted to and
electrically connected to a circuit board 35 that is attached to
housing 14. The relative numbers of LEDs 32A and 32B can vary. For
example, equal numbers of red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B can be
used. As shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement of thirty-six LEDs 32 are
such that there are two green LEDs 36B located between every red
LED 36A with a green LED 36B positioned at each end of the total
array of thirty-six LEDS 32. The actual number of red color LEDs
32A and green color LEDs 36B can vary depending on the make and
type of LED 32 used as determined by the output beam angle and the
output lumen generated by each LED 32. For purposes of exposition a
single red color beam 42 is produced from a single red LED 32A and
a single green color beam 46 is produced from a single green LED
32B. A single yellow color beam 44 is produced from a combination
of the red color beam 42 emitted from red LED 32A with the green
color beam 46 emitted from single green LED 32B. Red color beam 42
represents all red color beams and green color beam 46 represents
all green color beams, and yellow color beam 44 represents all
yellow color beams.
Also seen in FIG. 2 are twenty-eight monochrome LEDs 48A positioned
in a concentric circular arrangement in optional emergency light
30A mounted to side edge 24 of housing 14, and twenty-eight
monochrome LEDs 48B positioned in a concentric circular arrangement
in optional emergency light 30B mounted to side edge 28 of housing
14. A normally closed DC disconnect test switch 50 is positioned on
circuit board 35 proximate to LEDs 32 to test the battery backup
system, and a DC power status LED 52 is also positioned on circuit
board 35. A normally open DC connect test switch 50A is also
positioned on circuit board 35, which when closed will connect
power to LEDs 48A and 48B in emergency lights 30A and 30B
respectively.
A dipswitch 54 containing two separate switches is positioned on
circuit board 35 proximate to and in electrical connection to LEDs
32. Dipswitch 54 is in electrical connection to circuitry connected
to the circuit board (not shown) and LEDs 32, and is manually
operable to select any one of the following options as shown in
dipswitch settings table 2A as follows:
1. Deactivation of any color to selective color LED sign 10;
2. Activation of red LEDs 32A so as to produce red color as
represented by red beam 42;
3. Activation of green LEDs 32B so as to produce green color as
represented by green beam 46;
4. Activation of both red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B resulting in
the emission of red and green colors that mix to produce yellow
light as represented by yellow beam 44.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram 56 of a selective color LED
lamp 58 taken in isolation. Selective color LED lamp 58 can be used
in retrofit applications for existing illuminated signs or as the
main selective color LED lamp in new fixtures. LED lamp 58
basically comprises an alternating current voltage (VAC) power
input 60 that is readily converted into a DC voltage output to
power red and green color LEDs 32A and 32B, respectively, by an AC
to DC converter 62.
A single main or individual current limiter, or resistor 64, is
used to limit the current going into red LEDs 32A and green LEDs
32B. Red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B comprise of LEDs 32 connected
in both a series and a parallel configuration for redundancy. This
is done so that the majority of red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B
will remain energized in the event that one or more LEDs 32 in each
array should fail.
Each of the red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B are in direct
communication with a two-position dipswitch 54 previously discussed
that is manually operable to close the power supply circuit and
thereby energize all the red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B. Red LEDs
32A can be energized independent of green LEDs 32B, and vice versa.
In the event that both red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B are switched
on and energized, a third color, namely, the color yellow, will
appear resulting from the combination of the mixing of the output
color beams from red LEDs 32A with green LEDs 32B. Activated LEDs
32 are connected to ground 66 thereby completing the current path
through red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B respectively.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram 68 of exit sign 10. The
usual source of power to an emergency exit sign is alternating
current voltage or VAC 60. This voltage can be 120V, 240V, or 277V.
Since the input AC voltage is high, a step-down transformer
typified by step-down transformer 22 also shown in FIG. 2 is used
to bring the input voltage down to a lower operating AC voltage,
for example 8 VAC. The 8 VAC is then passed through AC/DC converter
62 typically a bridge rectifier.
The direct current voltage or VDC is then connected to a momentary
DC power disconnect test switch 50 that is normally closed. The
function of DC power disconnect test switch 50 is to test the
electronic circuitry of the backup system to battery 26 by
simulating the interruption of DC voltage power. DC power indicator
LED 52 signals the presence of AC voltage power.
The DC voltage also goes through a charging circuit 70 connected to
rechargeable battery 26 and then to a switching circuit 72. The
output of switching circuit 72 then goes through a main or
individual current limiter 74, and lastly to red LEDs 32A and green
LEDs 32B. The function of switching circuit 72 is to provide power
to red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B when normal input DC voltage is
present, but will automatically switch over to battery backup 26 DC
power in the event of input AC power failure. As described before
two-position dipswitch 54 is operable to turn either or both red
LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B on and off.
Two separate monochrome LED lights 30A and 30B, respectively, act
as optional emergency lights. The LEDs 48A and 48B for use in
emergency LED lights 30A and 30B are monochrome comprising either
white and/or yellow color LEDs. They are optional and serve as
emergency lighting for the egress and evacuation of buildings or
other establishments in the event of power failure and general
lighting is not available. A separate DC power connect test switch
50A energizes the optional emergency monochrome LEDs 48A and 48B.
The output of switching circuit 72 also goes through current
limiter 74A and then to monochrome LEDs 48A and 48B.
Momentary DC power status connect switch 50A is normally open and
when depressed will connect the DC voltage power directly to test
optional emergency lights 30A and 30B. In the absence of AC voltage
power or when the DC power disconnect test switch 50 is depressed,
backup battery 26 voltage power will kick in to power both red LEDs
32A and green LEDs 32B as well as providing power for LEDs 48A and
48B in optional emergency lights 30A and 30B. The storage capacity
of backup battery 26 should provide enough reserve voltage to power
all the LEDs in exit sign 10, including optional emergency lights
30A and 30B for a duration of 1.5 to 3.0 hours when there is no AC
voltage input. Red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B and LEDs 48A and 48B
in emergency LED lights 30A and 30B are connected to ground 66
thereby completing the current paths through red LEDs 32A and green
LEDs 32B and LEDs 48A and 48B in emergency LED lights 30A and
30B.
FIG. 5 depicts the electrical circuit used for selective color LED
exit sign 10. Step-down transformer 22 shown here as T1 has
multiple primary input voltage taps depending on the voltage
available. As mentioned before, these may be 120 volts, 240 volts,
or 277 volts AC. The secondary output voltage of transformer 22 is
the same at about 8 volts AC, also as mentioned before. The 8 volts
AC are attached to the AC inputs of AC/DC converter 62 shown here
as a bridge rectifier BR1. The negative output of bridge rectifier
BR1 becomes the DC ground 66, while the positive output of bridge
rectifier BR1 serves to deliver power to four main circuits by way
of the normally closed momentary test switch 50 shown here as
SW1.
A first circuit 78 passes DC voltage through current limiter 64,
shown here as resistor R1, that limits current to DC power
indicator LED 52, also indicated as LED1. One end of resistor R1 is
connected to the anode of power indicator LED 52, and the cathode
of power indicator LED 52 (LED1) is connected to DC ground 66. DC
power indicator LED 52 lights up when AC input voltage is present
and test switch 50 (SW1) is not depressed. Due to the fact that
power indicator LED 52 (LED1) is by nature a diode itself, it
prevents reverse current flow from DC ground 66 back to the
positive DC output of bridge rectifier BR1. Therefore current flows
only in one direction from the anode of DC power indicator LED 52
(LED1) to the cathode of DC power indicator LED 52 (LED1).
A second circuit 80 represents the charging circuitry 70 for
delivering power to rechargeable battery 26 (BATTERY) for backup
power in case of AC input voltage failure. DC voltage passes
through diode D2 into resistor R2 and directly into the positive
terminal of battery 26 (BATTERY). The negative terminal of battery
26 (BATTERY) is connected to DC ground 66. Diode D2 prevents the
reverse current flow from battery 26 (BATTERY) back to the positive
DC output of bridge rectifier BR1, and therefore allows current to
flow only in one direction from the anode of diode D2 to the
cathode of diode D2.
Third circuit 82 includes a complete array of red LEDS 32A as shown
in FIG. 5 comprising individual red LEDs, namely, LED2 to LED2X,Y
connected in an electrical series and parallel configuration for
redundancy. Third circuit 82 also includes a complete array of
green LEDs 32B as shown in FIG. 5 comprising individual green LEDS,
namely, LED3 to LED3X,Y also connected in an electrical series and
parallel configuration. This identification of red and green LEDs
sets forth that red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B can each comprise
of at least one red LED and at least one green LED connected in an
electrical serial and parallel configuration.
In addition, third circuit 82 includes monochrome LEDs 48A and 48B.
LEDs 48A is shown in FIG. 5 as comprising of individual monochrome
LEDs, namely, LED4 to LED4X,Y, and LEDs 48B is shown in FIG. 5 as
comprising of individual monochrome LEDs, namely, LED5 to LED5X,Y.
This identification of individual monochrome LEDs sets forth that
LEDs 48A and 48B can each comprise of at least one monochrome LED
in an electrical serial and parallel configuration.
The actual number of red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B and monochrome
LEDs 48A and 48B in optional emergency lights 30A and 30B can be
the same number or can differ in number.
Third circuit 82 drives red LEDs 32A, namely, LED2 to LED2X,Y and
green LEDs 32B, namely, LED3 to LED3X,Y during normal operation
when input AC voltage is present and test switch 50 (SW1) is not
depressed. DC voltage passes through diode D1 from the anode side
to the cathode side. Diode D1 prevents the reverse current flow
from LEDs 32A and 32B back to the positive DC output of bridge
rectifier BR1, and therefore allows current to flow only in one
direction from the anode of diode D1 to the cathode of diode D1. DC
voltage passes to red LEDs LED2 to LED2X,Y by way of resistor R4.
Likewise DC voltage passes to green LEDs LED3 to LED3X,Y by way of
resistor R5. Resistors R4 and R5 provide current limiting to the
individual red LEDs 32A and green LEDs 32B respectively. Red and
green LEDs LED2 to LED2X,Y and LED3 to LED3X,Y each have at least
one color LED connected in a series and parallel configuration for
redundancy. The cathode of the last LED2X,Y of the red LEDs 32A is
connected to one side of the first switch of two-position dipswitch
54 (SW3) with the other side of the first switch of two-position
dipswitch 54 (SW3) connected to DC ground 66. Likewise, the cathode
of the last LED3X,Y of green LEDs 32B is connected to one side of
the second switch of two-position dipswitch 54 (SW4) with the other
side of the second switch of two-position dipswitch 54 (SW4)
connected to DC ground 66. When either switch on two-position
dipswitch 54 (SW3 or SW4) is switched to the ON position, the
cathode of the corresponding LED2X,Y or LED3X,Y relating to the
first or second switch, respectively, will in effect be connected
to DC ground 66. This completes the respective circuit and will
energize all the corresponding red LEDs 32A and/or green LEDs 32B
LED arrays.
Normally open momentary power connect test switch 50A (SW2) is
provided to test and turn on optional emergency LED lights 30A and
30B by providing temporary DC voltage power from the positive
output of bridge rectifier BR1. The DC voltage passes to LEDs 48A,
namely, LED4 to LED4X,Y by way of resistor R6. Likewise DC voltage
passes to LEDs 48B, namely, LED5 to LED5X,Y by way of resistor R7.
Resistors R6 and R7 provide current limiting to the individual LEDs
48A and 48B in optional emergency LED lights 30A and 30B. LEDs LED4
to LED4X,Y and LED5 to LED5X,Y each comprise of at least one LED
connected in a series and parallel configuration for redundancy.
The cathodes of LED 4X,Y and LED5X,Y are each connected to DC
ground 66.
A fourth circuit 84 provides the automatic switching of DC voltage
power to LEDs 32A, 32B, 48A, and 48B in the event of AC power
failure. The positive terminal of battery 26 is connected to the
emitter of PNP transistor Q1. The collector of transistor Q1 is
connected to the inputs of red and green LED arrays 32A and 32B by
way of diode D3 and also to the inputs of monochrome LEDs 48A and
48B in optional emergency lights 30A and 30B by way of diode D4.
Diodes D3 and D4 prevent the reverse current flow from the
individual diode arrays back through transistor Q1 into the
positive terminal of battery 26, and likewise back to the positive
DC output of bridge rectifier BR1, thus allowing current to flow
only in the directions from the anodes of diodes D3 and D4 to the
cathodes of diodes D3 and D4 respectively. The base of transistor
Q1 is properly biased through resistor R3 to DC ground 66 and the
cathode of diode D1 such that transistor Q1 remains off and does
not conduct when DC power is present at the positive DC output of
bridge rectifier BR1. When there is an absence of DC power at the
positive DC output of bridge rectifier BR1 as a result of AC power
failure or if power disconnect test switch 50 (SW1) is depressed,
the base of transistor Q1 will cause transistor Q1 to conduct and
allow the DC voltage from battery 26 to flow from the positive
terminal of backup battery 26 through transistor Q1 from the
emitter to the collector and through diode D3 to power red LEDs 32A
and green LEDs 32B, and also to flow through diode D4 to power
monochrome LEDs 48A and 48B in optional emergency light LED lights
30A and 30B.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram 56A of a selective bicolor
LED lamp 58A taken in isolation. Selective bicolor LED lamp 58A is
an alternative embodiment to selective color LED lamp 58 shown in
FIG. 3. Selective bicolor LED lamp 58A can be used in retrofit
applications for existing illuminated signs or as the main
selective color LED lamp in new fixtures. LED lamp 58A includes
alternating current voltage (VAC) power input 60A that is converted
by AC to DC converter 62A, analogous to AC/DC converter 62 shown in
FIG. 3, into a direct current DC voltage output. A single main or
individual current limiter, or resistor 64A, is used to limit the
current going into the bicolor LED consisting of a red and a green
LED die having separate anodes and sharing a common cathode.
Bicolor red and green LED 86 is analogous to monochrome red LEDs
32A and green LEDs 32B of selective color sign 10.
A current limiter, or resistor, 64A, which is analogous to current
resistor 64 of LED lamp 58, is in direct current communication with
a two-position dipswitch 54A, which is analogous in operation to
dipswitch 54 discussed before and now relative to selective color
LED lamp 58A, is manually operable to close the power supply
circuit. Dipswitch 54A is in turn in direct current communication
with bicolor red and green LED 86. Current limiter 64A thus limits
the current to red and green bicolor LED 86. Bicolor LED 86 may
comprise a plurality of bicolor LEDs 86 connected in both a series
and a parallel configuration for redundancy. This is done so that
the majority of red and green bicolor LEDs 86 will remain energized
in the event that one or more bicolor LEDs 86 in each array should
fail. Red colors and green colors of bicolor LED 86 can be
energized independently of one another by dipswitch 54A. When both
the red and green colors of bicolor LED 86 are switched on and
energized, a third color, namely, the color yellow, will be
produced from the color mixing of the output color emissions of the
color red with the color green. Bicolor LED 86 is connected to DC
ground 66A. Dipswitch 54A comprises two operational internal
switches 54AX and 54BX. Internal switch 54AX is capable of contact
with the red color of bicolor LED 86, specifically to the anode(s)
of the LED die(s) for red colors while the cathode(s) of the color
red of LED 86 is tied directly to DC ground 66A. Internal switch
54BX is capable of contact with the green color of bicolor LED 86,
specifically to the anode(s) of the LED die(s) for green colors
while the cathode(s) of the color green of LED 86 is tied directly
to DC ground 66A.
Selective color LED lamp 58A allows the use of a single or multiple
bicolor LEDs, that is, a single or multiple red and green bicolor
LED(s) such that the entire package of an alternative to selective
color LED sign 10 that includes separate anodes and a common
cathode can be manufactured as an alternative to the individual and
discrete red and green LEDs set forth and described herein for
selective color LED lamp 58. Thus the bicolor LED(s) 86 of FIG. 6
each contain red and green LED dies that can be selectively
energized independent of each other so as to cause the emission of
the color red or the color green, or can be energized
simultaneously to emit red color and green color to produce the
color yellow.
Although the present invention has been described in some detail by
way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and
understanding, it will, of course, be understood that various
changes and modifications may be made in the form, details, and
arrangements of the parts without departing from the scope of the
invention set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *